Learning Swedish

Your ability to speak the language will improve your career prospects and help you to get more out of life in Sweden. Learning Swedish is also likely to make it easier for you to make friends and contacts, and take an active part in the Swedish society. While most Swedes are very capable in English and willing to speak it often, those moving to Sweden are encouraged to learn the local language.

Thanks to several generous state-sponsored systems, finding Swedish courses is easy. Often, larger employers will sponsor Swedish classes for foreign employees, so be sure to ask your future employer about language study opportunities. Otherwise, the Swedish Institute offers an online Swedish course. SFI offers free courses specifically for people who have recently moved to Sweden.

There are also several schools that offer Swedish courses for a fee, from beginner to advanced level. If you would like to learn the language quickly, most schools provide intensive courses that can give you a working knowledge of the language in a matter of weeks. Many offer evening courses, allowing you to work during the day.

The Swedish Institute

The Swedish Institute offers an online Swedish course that allows you to get started before you arrive. The Swedish Institute also has cooperation agreements with 240 universities in 40 different countries, so be sure to check if Swedish courses are offered at a university in the country where you currently live.

More information about learning Swedish abroad

Folkuniversitetet

Folkuniversitetet is a non-profit adult education association offering a wide range of courses throughout Sweden. Folkuniversitetet offers several Swedish courses for all ability levels and also administers Swedex tests. Swedex is an exam for non-native speakers, which ranks the participant’s Swedish language abilities.

Folkuniversitet

More information about Swedex

SFI

SFI is a basic, tax-funded Swedish course provided free of charge for those who immigrate to Sweden. The courses are available to all immigrants over 16 years of age who lack basic Swedish skills.

To qualify, you also need to be registered with the Swedish tax authority. Because the courses are administered by your local municipality, you will need to apply directly there in order to begin a course.

A list of local municipal authorities